Cuban, government-owned supermarkets, otherwise known as bodegas, have been controlled by the Cuban government since Fidel Castro implemented a rations system in 1962. From Castro’s regime to present...
Watching the movie “Fast and Furious 8” was an amazing experience that bonded me with Cuba.
As a petrol head, illegal street racing scene in the movies can always touch my heart, while this time...
It is always interesting when traveling abroad to experience that first reality check, which confirms you are not home. Today, in Havana, Cuba it is expected you will see cars from the 1950s, a not-so-modern...
On Jan. 28, 1962, Juan Francisco Luna, or “Illo,” pronounced ee-yo, left his home at 3 a.m. towards the Atlantic Ocean just two blocks from his doorstep in Caibarién, Villa Clara, Cuba. From a "chapín,"...
In a forest of banner-less flagpoles, there stands a wall, a wall that boldly displays three simple yet powerful words in bright red: “¡Patria o muerte!” Even more curious than its placement amongst...
Reality check
After deplaning at Havana Airport and going through security, it still had not sunk in that I was in Cuba. The humidity, intense heat and the accents were not enough to confirm that I...
Salternative facts
iAy que rico y sabor!
Allow me to explain; in Latin American countries, this is a compliment mostly aimed at the food or “la comida.” In Cuba, the food has a bounty of flavor,...
A Cuban is a Cuban
In the United States, there are African Americans, Chinese Americans, Mexican Americans and many more Americans. Although it is not directly defined by race, wealth, livelihood and...
Small business, big surprise
Havana is a mix between gray and white. I say gray because unfortunately for some and a blessing for others, even the best parts of Havana aren’t what you would see in...
Growing up, I always associated communism with being a bad thing and capitalism as being great. Sometimes in life, we just accept what we’re told if enough people are saying the same thing until we...
Life in the slow lane
Life for the socialist citizens of Havana, Cuba moves at a different pace. In the land of 1950s vintage cars, slow internet, and even slower hospitality, it’s more than apparent...
On June 30, approximately 25 Cal State East Bay students — including myself — will fly from Los Angeles to Havana, Cuba, where we will take classes in documentary film and photojournalism, and produce...
